Koreans eat so much of this super-spicy condiment (40 pounds of it per person each year) that natives say “kimchi” instead of “cheese” when getting their pictures taken. The reddish fermented cabbage (and sometimes radish) dish—made with a mix of garlic, salt, vinegar, chile peppers, and other spices—is served at every meal, either alone or mixed with rice or noodles. And it’s part of a high-fiber, low-fat diet that has kept obesity at bay in Korea. Kimchi also is used in everything from soups to pancakes, and as a topping on pizza and burgers.
Why to try it: Kimchi (or kimchee) is loaded with vitamins A, B, and C, but its biggest benefit may be in its “healthy bacteria” called lactobacilli, found in fermented foods like kimchi and yogurt. This good bacteria helps with digestion, plus it seems to help stop and even prevent yeast infections, according to a recent study. And more good news: Some studies show fermented cabbage has compounds that may prevent the growth of cancer.
What to do with it: There’s no need to make your own; just pick it up in the refrigerated section of your grocery store or an Asian market for around $4 per 32-ounce jar (Sunja’s is one popular brand). You can wake up your morning by scrambling eggs with kimchi, diced tomatoes, and mushrooms. Use it as a wrap filling or to top a baked potato. Or try Spicy Beef and Kimchi Stew, which won our test kitchen’s top rating.
Recipe by Mark Bittman
This recipe is high in sodium (due to the soy sauce and the kimchi), so if high blood pressure is a concern for you, omit the soy sauce, which will bring the sodium down about 200 milligrams.
By Joan Raymond
Comments (57)
Hi webmaster!
Chow Kimchi!
i love kimchi :)
yummm!
how i want to taste kimchi
i love kinchi it’s so nice
uhhhmmm,,,it seems so delicious
i never tried kimchi but i am eager to try it.
Try kimchi panckes. Grind up died mung beans let soak over night. Add a water, and a little flour to bind (you can also add an egg if you like)then cut kimchi into bite size pieces and add to mixture(you can also add green onion, peppers, bacon ect.) Cook over med. heat in oiled pan like pancake. Use soy sauce or korean marinade sauce lightly like syrup. Sooo Good!
You gotta taste this, its probably the best “salad” in the world! So long Greek salad ;)
I love the suggestion of combining Kimchi with the scrambled eggs, diced tomatoes and mushrooms! Very nice!
Thank you for posting this good news on Kimchi.
Regards,
Randy S.
http://www.lovethatkimchi.com
I LOVE KIMCHI SO MUCH!!!
love kinchi it’s so nice
kimch from south Korea!
I DID A 1 YR STINT IN THE ARMY BASED IN KOREA AND CAME TO LOVE NOT ONLY KIMCHEE BUT KOREAN FOOD PERIOD.
i love kimchi with tuna garlic and honey
Kimchi is great. I love it. I don’t think I eat 40 pounds a year, but I make it myself, it is so easy and a lot cheaper than buying in the stores! And eat it as often as I can :-)
Send me your recipe for making kimchi…please?
Kimchi is soooo good, and good for you too. Kimchi soup is popular during the winter time when it’s cold. :)
Oh ~~ kimchi is very good~~~
wow i tried it but its not somthing i woul eat excexpt the beef stew that looks wonderful
Now I can not eat soup without
kimchee and I’m cuban, but I like
very much korean food.
plz send a email include how can i make a kimchi ?
If you heat Kimchi does it kill the benificial bacteria?
yum! my mouth is watering for kimchi and white rice now!
Yes, kimchi is the most favor food I like. It taste abot pitty my 1st first but getting better and acddict on it
Make Kimchi
http://korea.heyheyfriends.com/korean-kimchi
I eat kimchi all the time :)
It’s better not to microwave kimchi, or anything else for that matter unless you absolutely must.
Way to spread the word about kimchi! If you haven’t tried it, go for the authentic stuff as many of the store brands contain MSG, high sodium fish paste, etc… Try it either homemade by someone with experience or try Granny Choe’s Kimchi Co. ;-)
Love,
Granny Choe
http://www.GrannyChoe.com
Discovering kimchi was one of the very very best things that has ever happened to my tastebuds. I couldn’t live with out it! I go thru a small jar every two days. Daikon is fabulous, but of course nothing beats the napa.
Reading the comments gave me an idea – Kimchi with Tuna – in a sandwich kinda deal – freakin sweet – I love kimchi just by itself too – the sodium content worries me a little but damn Kimchi is like one of the few delicous and healthy foods – If Koreans eat it all the time I guess the Sodium content isn’t much to worry about – I’m 26 Male – Thanks – great site!
Wow… talk about kimchi, my saliva is drolling down. This reminds of me of a delicious kimchi that either I eat it as it is or mix it with noodles. If you are at Asia Pacific country – Malaysia, and you crave for authentic kimchi. Try this homemade kimchi
http://kimchi-shan.blogspot.com/
KIMCHI IS AWSOME!!!!!!! my mouth is always watery when i see something red!!! this website is great1 just because the kimchi!!!
Is Kimchi OK for a Type 2 Diabetic? Everything seems to point to yes, but figured I’d ask.
MORE PLEASe
It was the first time I made kimchi and it was a success and everyone liked it…. hhaaaahhhhhh
The taste is just awsome.
I’m lucky to be working with koreans because I get to eat kimchi all the time. Since I learned about it’s good attributes to the body, I promote it to all my family and friends to try and be health with kimchi
i used to hate kimchi.. but i love it now…
i eat it everyday… mainly once a day.
i think i could go on a diet just eating kimchi and rice and still lose a lot of weight!
eat kimchi!!
learning more about kimchi makes me want to eat kimchi for halthy reasons!
kimchee on top of a hamburger is the best! soo ono!
KIMCHI FOREVER
THIS IS JUST THE BEST FOOD AVAILABLE ON EARTH ,
EAT IT , ENJOY IT !!! THEN EAT AGAIN
KIMCHILOVER
I’m not really sure. It does contain salt and isn’t too much chili pepper associated with throat cancer? How much healthier the Koreans compared to us?
The doctor has had me on antibotics of and on for two years, i just cant take any more of those antibotics. KIMCHI
kimchi is not from south korea!
FROM KOREA!!!
because in south korea they usually enjoy eating spicy kimchi as you guys know
in north korea they usally eat not spicy kimchi called ‘bak kimchi(white kimchi)’ becuase north korea is so cold so that they dont need salty foods
however south korea is hot so they need to eat salty kimchi;)
love kimchi><
that’s true! south korea cannot deserve the origin of kimchi. Kimchi is from KOREA!!
It’s my one of favorite food.
make kimchi to be used bay salt =sun-dried salt
beautiful salad that original Korean recipe only.
Japanese kimchi is copy from Korea that is can not eat.
아 진짜 한국에들 싸구려 영어쓰지말고 한국어쓰지
Good stuff. But careful about eating it in the morning… it can give you stanky breath!
i love you KIMchi very much.. even your so spicy..
hahaha..
i love kimchi.ive been in korea for almost 3years and i eat kimchee in evry meal.
I had really liked world’s healthiest food kimchi i would like it more if you can send me it’s recipe.
Here is a video how to make kimchi.
http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/kimchi-kaktugi
To get the full benefit of kimchi you MUST let it sit in the fridge around 4 to 6 weeks. Store bought kimchi is usually fermented only 4 to 6 hours, people at home usually ferment overnight. I personally ferment it 6 days then make it and let sit in the fridge. The reason for it is that the kimchi will continue to ferment while sitting on the fridge. It will have a strong sour smell and taste. It can spoil so you have to experiment.
Please sen me a recipe for making your own…I love it hot but my wife cannot abide hot foods, so I guess I need 2 recipes ! Pleasew send to jailman3@hotmail.com
Yes yes, kimchi more kimchi. I am addicted to kimchi, must eat every day and every meal…sooo yummy…
Visit here for more Korean food..
http://www.foreignersinkorea.com
Kimchi is probably the best thing I’ve ever eaten. It just taste so good. Just rice and Kimchi could make me go around.
I endorse the movement that puts kimchi as the world healthiest food on earth.
if you eat kimchi everyday (unless you’re korean), soon you’d discover that your kidney has a failure. Sounds weird? Try to eat kimchi at least once a day for a week and soon after you’ll notice pain in your back (that’s actually kidney pain), then see your doctor and give a urine test. You’ll be convinced then!